Mayor alleges blackmail

Incumbent mayor Ted Adlem has filed a lawsuit in BC Supreme Court claiming that emails sent to numerous election candidates and senior staff members at the District of Mission were defamatory and political blackmail.

The defendants, identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 in court documents, are unknown at this time. According to the statement of facts by the plaintiff, the emails “falsely and maliciously” allege that Adlem engaged in sexual impropriety, improperly made use of his public office, and is a person of immoral character.

The emails, sent on Oct. 4, 15, 17, and 30, also contain threats of further defamation.

A separate application has been filed in Supreme Court to seek the name and address of the account holder based on the computer IP addresses used.

On Nov. 5, the same day Adlem’s suit was filed, a BC Supreme Court judge ordered Telus Communications Company to disclose that information to the complainant by Nov. 10 at 4 p.m.

Adlem is seeking an injunction restraining further broadcasting of similar messages by the defendant, and damages.

Mission Mounties have confirmed they are investigating a complaint about communication received by a candidate in the municipal election. The complaint was filed on Nov. 7 and the investigation is ongoing, said Sgt. Shaun Wright, who did not identify who launched the complaint. Police will be looking into the possibility of infractions of the Elections Act and the criminal code, he said.

Adlem could not be reached for comment by press time. Check missioncityrecord.com for updates.